5/5 Great leap for Danny Grissett
  by G. O'NEILL (Sydney, Australia.)
If you enjoyed Danny Grissett's previous piano trio efforts you will be bowled over by his latest session on Criss Cross. Although the personnel has been doubled, don't be fooled into thinking that this is yet another routine blowing session by a Jazz Messengers like sextet. This is some of the finest "straight ahead" jazz to be heard in a very long time, as Mr. Grissett and his co-horts mix their options - using the sextet on a couple of tunes, but also employing quartet, trio, and duo formats to great effect.

This is a one day session that shows a lot of thought in the preparation and precision in execution. The swing and groove are there in abundance, as is the deepest commitment and "soul" that we expect but do not always get from some leading jazz musicians. Each tune on the album is a highlight and the "sound of surprise" is always in evidence. Recorded sound is excellent too.

Mr. Grissett's section mates from the two previous albums are back and they are both on superb form again. Vincente Archer (bass) and Kendrick Scott (drums) make up one of the finest young rhythm sections in the music and they excel themselves this time. The arrangements are fairly basic yet very effective and each soloist plays to his highest level. Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet is a revelation and Steve Davis (trombone) and Seamus Blake (tenor sax) turn in some of their finest efforts. Mr. Grissett's playing is simply stunning. His surging right hand inventions and left hand comping continually surprisng and delightful. He has obviously taken a great deal from his sideman work with Tom Harrell (and others) and is now ready to join the leading throng in the jazz world.

I look forward to hearing a lot more from Danny Grissett.


5/5 What an absolute shame!
  by D. Alder (Michigan)
This is a fantastic cd. How such a great recording can be void of any reviews just blows me away. Is there that few serious jazz fans left? Are people afraid to spend just a few more bucks for GREAT material? I hope that neither of those are true. Grissett has put together top musicians for an overall excellent recording. Quit wasting money on bad movies, over-priced hair care products, and foo-foo coffees. Pick up some awesome jazz on this Criss Cross label, sit home, and dig it.

5/5 Delightfully smoky, noir feel
  by PScooter63 (Pelham, AL USA)
Listening late one evening to a national jazz radio program, the DJ put on "Heard's Word", and I was smitten. I had to wait around to hear the track and album info, then make my way here to purchase. I'd never heard of Danny Grissett before, and this is my only disc of his so far, but there will be more.

This is hugely atmospheric, late-night stuff. Not particularly stormy, but SO nuanced and intelligent. Each track reveals new details with each listen. My current favorite is one I would have never imagined if you'd told me ahead of time... "Distant", for (merely) piano and trombone.

The recording engineer captured each performance perfectly, with just the right amount of "air" from the wind players.

Now that the price has been lowered, and available for download to boot, what's not to love? I wholeheartedly agree with the other reviewers that this music deserves to be heard.

5/5 Fantastic Form
  by Scott Williams (Oakland, CA United States)
Overview:
Danny Grissett is one of the most talented rising stars on Piano in 2010. Born in Los Angeles Grissett relocated to New York in 2003 and that is when his career took off. Since relocating in NY Grissett defined his style working with trumpeters Tom Harrell and Jeremy Pelt. Grissett's style reminds me a bit of Wynton Kelly and Bill Evans. His sound is crisp and clean and pairs really nicely with a pretty sounding brass player. On "Form", Grissett for the first time as a leader incorporates horns into his music. The brass section of Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet, and Steve Davis on trombone really compliment Grissett's style. The band also includes Seamus Blake on tenor sax, Vicente Archer on bass and Kendrick Scott on drums. Archer and Scott teamed up with Grissett on his two prior releases as a leader (Promise & Encounters). As a result this rhythm section is well acquainted and tight. The overall mood of the album is post bop and is reminiscent of something you might have heard on mid 60's Wayne Shorter's or Herbie Hancock album. This album does not really offer anything new or revolutionary. It just features some of the top young stars in jazz circa 2010 playing straight ahead jazz on 4 originals by Grissett and covers by Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, and Irvin Berlin. If you are looking for a new sound, don't get this album. If you are looking to hear new talented players, this CD is for you.

Song Highlights:

Heard's Word - This song features the full sextet playing straight forward post bop. It features a nice melody, walking bass line, and solos by Davis, Akinmusire and Grisset. The first solo by trombonist, Davis, is particularly pretty.

Let's Face the Music and Dance - On this Irvin Berlin song Grisset features himself and saxophonist Seamus Blake. This song opens with piano intro. Next Blake joins in with a sax solo and the bass and drums follow. It has a reflective mood. Towards the end of the sax solo the tempo picks up and eventually segues into a piano solo. After the piano solo there is a rebuttal by Blake.

Distant - This song features a balld duet with Grissett and Davis. This is about as pretty as it gets. If this doesn't relax you and take those worries away, you've got some real stress.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.


3/5 Nothing too special happening here
  by Mark Town (Pittsburgh USA)
I wanted to love this! And it is okay, perfectly pleasant, but I wanted to join the other reviewers with a rave. You know - new voice in jazz and new music to love. All that. But it is nothing to rave about. It is pretty straight-forward post-bop jazz, not too scintilating, breaking no new ground. I will put it on the shelf and pull it out every once in a while for another listen, but I have given it multiple chances to grab me and it hasn't.